Smith Mountain Lake 11/29/13-11/30/13

We planned the last camper trip of the year for the weekend after Thanksgiving. We’d used the camper as extra quarters while the in-laws visited, so we needed to dump the tanks—at least, that was the reason I used to suggest to Dave that we should work in one last camping trip. The truth was that I really love fall camping and was wanting to get away.

I don't mess around.

Smith Mountain Lake is lovely, and the lake is, of course, HUGE. The campground was fairly empty except for a couple of other rigs and one group of extremely hardy tent campers. Turned out they were from Alaska and it was a good thing, too. It was REALLY cold that weekend. We built a fire and sat out for a little while but didn’t make it very long. The camper hose froze overnight. Fortunately our propane heat is, as always, excellent.

 

We went on a short hike which took us past an old fallen down cabin, along the lake and out to Turtle Island, which was pretty. Other than that it was fairly non-descript and looked like most of the other state parks we’ve hiked—hills, trees, more trees, and then some trees. Oh, and an occasional glimpse of a lake. It was nice but I probably wouldn’t go back for the hiking. And I probably wouldn’t for the kayaking, either, since the lake is big enough for waves and allows gas powered boats.

All in all it was a nice, short trip. We were slated to stay two nights but packed it in the afternoon of the second day.

Hiking  5

Bathhouses 9 (modern, but the heat could use some help)

Riding ? I think there is some but didn’t see the amenities

Camping 5 (ok, but a little tricky getting up and down the hills to the pull through spots)

Water 5 Huge lake, too big for my liking

Other ? there is a visitor center but it was closed for the season

Occoneechee State Park, 8/9/13-8/11/13

We drove down to Occoneechee State Park for what we hoped would be an exciting stay. John H. Kerr Reservoir! Buggs Island Lake! Whatever you call it, it's BIG. We were expecting some good kayaking and fishing. And our campsite was "waterfront", so that was something to truly look forward to.

And we had been looking forward to it--for months. This trip was originally scheduled for Spring Break, but kept getting bumped forward. First it was the grandbaby's due date (highly worth moving a camping trip!) and then other things. But we finally got down there just before school started.

What a disappointment. First off, when we heard "waterfront", we pictured beautiful campsites on the edge of a wooded lake. What we got was small, awkward parking areas high above a rocky shore with no access to the water. And those (there were about TWO that actually looked out at the main part of the lake!) went first, of course, so the only ones we had to choose from were over little stagnant coves and you *might* could catch a glimpse of the water.

I am a master of backing that thing. And may I add, I did it alone.

Not kidding.

This is shooting downhill from the "living area" next to the camper. See? That's "waterfront". Not.

You could climb down the hill and down an extremely steep bank to get to the cove. That wasn't fun with the kayaks! The water was pretty gross and there were literally bubbles coming up from the rotting vegetation below the surface. The water was oily and black, and stunk to high heaven.

It was hot. And stinky. And the water was downright gross. And there were no fish biting, at all. And we really didn't have any fun.

This guy didn't catch any fish, either.

Dave did catch his wallet with his pocket fisherman.

In fact, we packed up a day early and went home. Bummer.

We did take a side trip and visited Staunton River Park (very nice cabins!) and hiked the Staunton River Battlefield trail over the old railroad tracks. That was a lot of fun. Somehow I took zero photos. Ooops.


Park Rating: Occoneechee
C     3 (small sites, precariously perched, not really "waterfront)
B     2 (old style and weird showers in them!)
W    5 (lake, big, WAVES)
H     2
R      0 (none that I know of)
O     3 small store
S     0 (too many people on the lake!!)